[Politics] Energy use advice campaign pulled as No10 objects

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The government has decided not to launch a public information campaign on reducing energy use this winter after the prime minister's office raised objections, the BBC has been told.

 

A source said there was a "reasonably well-developed plan" to encourage household energy-saving.

But Climate Minister Graham Stuart denied a Times report that a campaign had been blocked by Downing Street.

He said UK energy was secure despite a National Grid warning of blackouts.

 

Its message about possible power cuts was based on a worst-case scenario of gas shortages if the energy crisis in Europe escalates.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) was considering plans to encourage households to switch off their appliances and heating to conserve energy whenever possible during winter.

 

However, the BBC was told the department was stopped from taking the plan forward because of objections from the prime minister's office and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

 

DHSC sources said they did not believe they had played any specific role in any decision, but indicated there might be broad "concern about the elderly being afraid to turn on their heating".

 

The Times newspaper reported that Downing Street's intervention came on Thursday when National Grid issued its warning.

The UK is heavily reliant on gas to produce electricity, with gas-fired power stations generating more than 40% of the country's electricity.

In the "unlikely" event that gas supplies ran extremely low, homes and businesses in the UK could face three-hour planned blackouts, National Grid said.

 

The government says National Grid has drawn up plans to launch a voluntary service to reward users who reduce demand at peak times.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Stuart said he was "confident the government has done everything in its power" to make sure energy rationing would not be necessary this winter.

 

But he added: "We make plans for all scenarios."

During the Conservative leadership campaign, Prime Minister Liz Truss pledged there would be no energy rationing this winter.

On Thursday, when asked if she could guarantee there would be no blackouts, Ms Truss said: "We do have a good supply of energy in the UK."

 

 

In a statement, BEIS said: "There are no plans for the government to tell the public to reduce usage for the sake of our energy supplies.

"The UK has a secure and diverse energy system and we are confident that the steps we are taking will protect security of electricity and gas supplies."

When asked to comment, Mr Stuart indicated there had been discussions within BEIS, but confirmed there would not be a government-led effort to get people to reduce usage, saying "it has been decided that there will not be a campaign".

 

Mr Stuart also denied that a well-developed campaign had been prepared and then blocked by the prime minister's team.

 

Source.